Geer Gang and School Yard Crips hit with injunctions

City News Service 14.JUN.06

SOUTH LOS ANGELES — A preliminary injunction was handed down June 8 against members of the School Yard and Geer Street Crips gangs.

Superior Court Judge David Jeffe ordered the gang members to avoid associating in public with any of their fellow members, unless they are in church, school or in a gang-intervention class, and to stay away from illegal drugs.

The court order aimed at reducing violence in the territory the gangs claim also prohibits members from intimidating anyone, possessing firearms in a public place or having alcohol on unlicensed premises.

More than 100 police officers gave statements to the court in favor of the injunction. The city attorney’s office filed court papers against the two gangs in March.

The gangs have operated in an area bounded by Olympic Boulevard on the north, Crenshaw Boulevard to the east, Jefferson Boulevard to the south and a western boundary that begins at the intersection of Jefferson and La Cienega boulevards, according to the city attorney’s office.

“Residents are prisoners and victims of the defendants’ wars against rival gangs and the foreseeable retaliation by rival gangs,” court papers state. “Defendants demonstrate a blatant disregard for the lives and safety of innocent victims, including children, who get caught in the crossfire.”

Residents live in constant fear of shootings and random violence breaking out at any moment on the streets, sidewalks and local parks, according to the city attorney’s office.

Gang members leave residents so afraid of retaliation that they often do not report crimes ranging from reckless driving and driving under the influence to robberies, beatings and shootings, according to the court papers.

The gang members also encourage children to join their ranks.

“The defendants take advantage of the immature and susceptible minds of minor-aged children in order to increase their numbers and power over the community,” the court papers state.